We had Service to-day in a sort of Hall in one of the wings of the
Château of this village. Mr. Coutts officiated and did very well
indeed, and we all like him.
Fortunately a piano was available and I played it. We sang 'God is
our Refuge' to Stroudwater, 'The Lord is my Shepherd' to Wiltshire,
and 'Fight the good Fight' to the tune that is not in the Hymnary.
In the evening again we had another more informal Service, at which I
again played; everyone enjoyed both Services. Two biscuit boxes
served as a piano stool!
SAME DATE (_to his Sister_).
There is a phrase of John Kelman's about this war that I specially
like to think of. It speaks of one who strives to 'carry a sword
across the barriers of death clean and bright.' Many and many a one
has done it and done it to the uttermost in this fight, and the rest
of us, halting and stumbling, try to follow in their train.
And what helps me most is just your love. It keeps _high_ the ideals
of service and sacrifice, and makes the counting of all cost as a
forgotten thing.